Floyd Mayweather's top 10 most memorable career moments

Floyd Mayweather announced he will make yet another fight return, but this time it’s the most remarkable one yet.

When Mayweather announced in 2017 he would come out of retirement to fight UFC star Conor McGregor, the fight world stood still.

However, it seems Mayweather is looking to replicate the success his crossover fight with McGregor made, as the American walked away with a handy $400 million after their August 2017 showdown.

Well Mayweather has once again announced he is set for another return - however, this time it’s different.

Mayweather is set to meet Japanese kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa on December 31 in Tokyo, Japan, with MMA promotion RIZIN Fight Federation promoting the bout.

The rules of the bout are yet to be announced - with the mystery being will Mayweather actually fight in anything other than boxing rules.

If there’s one thing Mayweather has done throughout his successful 50-0 boxing career - it’s make money and divide opinion.

It can’t be argued Mayweather is one of, if not the greatest of a generation, with his arrogant and confident persona causing many to resent him despite the skills he possess - ahead of his December return, we count down the American’s most memorable moments.

Saul 'Canelo' Álvarez

In 2014 it was announced Mayweather would take on the then undefeated Mexican Saul ‘Canelo’ Álvarez, with the American stepping up to light-middleweight to challenge for the WBC world title.

Mayweather proved he could take on an aggressive, young challenger as he cruised to a majority-decision win, out-boxing Canelo for much of the bout - despite one judge questionably scoring it a draw.

At the time it broke pay-per-view records generating 2.2million buys and $150m being generated.

It’s what Canelo has gone on to do since the defeat that bodes even better for Mayweather looking back, as Money recorded a win over yet another pound-for-pound superstar.

WWE appearances

In 2007 after Mayweather beat Ricky Hatton, he decided to ‘retire’ and didn’t fight again until he beat Juan Manuel Márquez in 2009.

Mayweather spent the year of 2008 working with WWE, when he first appeared on the No Way Out PPV event in February to build-up to a storyline with the Big Show.

After appearances on Monday Night Raw, Mayweather would fight and defeat Big Show at Wrestlemania 24 in the March.

It was the first time Mayweather had showcased desire to put himself out there in another sporting environment and showcased his personality to a wider audience.

Returning against Juan Manuel Márquez

When Mayweather announced he would return to the boxing ring to face Márquez in 2009, the boxing world awaited to see how he would fare having almost two years out the ring.

It turned out to be one of Mayweather’s most conclusive victories, outpointing Márquez will some truly exceptional counters.

The nature of his performance and the ability to return after two years out with so much ease against a modern great in Márquez really showcased just how talented the Grand Rapids, Michigan, native is.

Beating an undefeated Diego Corrales

In one of Mayweather’s greatest ever performances, the American dominated the then undefeated Corrales, in 2001 to retain his WBC super-featherweight world title.

Mayweather entered the bout as an underdog in the view of many, due to Corrales’ size advantage, however, the champion floored his opponent five times on the way to a 10th rounds stoppage, having showcased an excellent left-hook throughout the fight.

Corrales had never touched the canvas coming into the fight, and Mayweather’s ability to drop the former world champion was the first indication that Floyd would be willing to take on heavier opponents due to his pure boxing ability.

First world title win beating Genaro Hernández

In 1998, at aged just 21 and only two years on from his professional debut, Mayweather became a world champion.

Mayweather defeated Hernández for the WBC super-featherweight world title and announced himself on the world scene having won the belt in just his 18th fight.

The speed that Mayweather won a world title truly proved he lived up to his name having been touted as one to watch from his amateur career - where he won a bronze medal in the 1996 Olympic Games.

Amazingly, in Mayweather's remaining 32 career matches, he would only compete in six non world titles fights.

Mayweather’s bronze medal at the Olympics

In 1996 Mayweather represented the US boxing team as a featherweight, and won a Bronze medal.

Mayweather lost to Bulgarian Serafim Todorov, the last man to beat Floyd in a boxing ring - but many believed the America should have got the decision, with the US team protesting that their punches were not being counted.

After Mayweather turned pro he would often cite the loss in the Olympics inspired him to train so hard and dedicate himself so he never felt that losing feeling again.

With 22 years removed from that loss, Mayweather can count that as the best thing to happen to him - as he sits with a 50-0 record with world titles in five different weight classes.

Oscar De La Hoya victory

May 2007 acted as the last time Mayweather wasn’t the ‘A-side’ as he took on the ‘Golden Boy’ Oscar De La Hoya for the WBC light-middleweight title.

De La Hoya received the higher purse and was counted as the home fighter - but after Mayweather scored a split-decision over his rival, he became the new king of boxing.

The win announced Mayweather as a global superstar, with a stint on the TV show ‘Dancing With The Stars’ following.

Mayweather’s win that night was one of the most important of his career, as he proved he can seek and conquer the biggest challenges in front of him.

Top Rank departure

In 2006 Mayweather took the biggest risk of his life - he paid $750,000 to leave boxing’s biggest promoter Bob Arum, and promotion Top Rank.

This would turn out to be his smartest gamble, as Mayweather became his own boss on the way to becoming boxing's richest star.

The American truly lived up to his ‘Money’ name, as he later founded ‘Mayweather Promotions’ as he not only promoted the events he competed on - but also other boxers.

Conor McGregor win

In what was widely regarded as a money-grab for both fighters, in 2017 Mayweather and McGregor truly made the fight world stand still.

The intrigue in how McGregor, a knockout artist in the UFC, would transcend into boxing undoubtedly brought over interest, despite Mayweather being an overwhelming favourite.

The build-up was entertaining and both codes of combat came together for a groundbreaking event - one in which Mayweather comfortable won inside 10 rounds.

The fight generated an estimated $400 million with Showtime Sports announcing 4.4m PPV’s were sold - but once again, Mayweather was a part of something new and brought boxing to a level not seen before.

Manny Pacquiao win

Throughout Mayweather’s career, there was always one name tagged next to his - Manny Pacquiao.

As Mayweather defeated legends and collected world title in all weights, from 2009 the question remained, when will he fight Pacquiao.

After years of failed negotiations and finger pointing, Mayweather and Pacquiao would finally meet, on May 2, 2015 in a showdown billed as ‘Fight of The Century’.

Mayweather outpointed Pacquiao in a brilliant boxing performance to answer the last question left - and the nature of his win truly cemented his place as the pound-for-pound king of boxing.

The fight generated $410 million in revenue, and currently holds the record for most PPV buys at 4.4m - as everyone tuned in to watch Mayweather win on a career defining night.

Report author of article

DISCLAIMER

This article has been written by a member of the GiveMeSport Writing Academy and does not represent the views of
GiveMeSport.com or SportsNewMedia. The views and opinions expressed are solely that of the author credited at the top of this article.
GiveMeSport.com and SportsNewMedia do not take any responsibility for the content of its contributors.

Want more content like this?

Like our GiveMeSport Facebook Page and you will get this directly to you.